Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant)

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About the information sheet

This note is for Queensland purposes only

The Brigalow ecological community, 'Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant)', was listed as a threatened (endangered) ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on 4 April 2001.

In Queensland, the Brigalow ecological community that has been listed under the EPBC Act is defined by reference to sixteen regional ecosystems, all of which are listed as 'endangered' under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999. These sixteen ecosystems are listed in the attachment.

The Brigalow ecological community was listed as a nationally endangered ecological community because it has declined to approximately 10% of its former area. That is, around 90% of the original extent of the Brigalow ecological community has been destroyed or severely degraded.

The purpose of listing the Brigalow ecological community is to help prevent its further decline and, ultimately, to assist efforts toward the recovery of the community.

As a result of the listing, an activity that is likely to have a significant impact on the listed Brigalow ecological community will need to be referred to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment for assessment and approval. There are some limited exceptions which are discussed below.

The listing of the Brigalow ecological community did not distinguish between remnant and regrowth Brigalow. Because remnant vegetation in the Brigalow ecological community is protected under Queensland legislation, the purpose of this note is to provide guidance on the application of the EPBC Act to the clearing of regrowth Brigalow.

Due to changes in Queensland legislation since the publication of this information sheet, state development approval for the clearance of native vegetation may be granted for allowable clearing purposes e.g. for extractive industries. However approval under the EPBC Act may still be required.